Rub-a-dub-dub down the Fergus in a bath tub

THERE are shades of the adventures of fictional characters, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn in a novel fundraising event being planned by an Ennis group at the end of the month.
Members of the Chill Out! river and sea kayaking club are undertaking a trip down the River Fergus from Dromore Woods in Ruan to Steele’s Rock in Lifford, Ennis on Sunday, May 28.
They will abandon their usual modes of transport in favour of heading downriver in a bathtub. Around 20 members, both male and female, have signed up to this relay challenge to support the Irish Heart Foundation.
The specially adapted craft, which is for a single oarsman, will be accompanied by a flotilla of kayaks and canoes, the Chill Out Armada.
The man behind the project, local community activist, Jacko McMahon from Willow Park, has already brought the bath on a trial run. His friend, Mark Torpey is also prominently involved in the project.
Jacko stumbled on the idea when, after some remodelling in his home, he was left with a bath in the back garden that nobody wanted. A long-time kayaking enthusiast, Jacko, who lives beside the River Fergus, got the notion that it would be great to float her on the water.
It didn’t take long before barrels were lashed on at either side and the bathtub was successfully launched. The maiden voyage wasn’t without incident, however. “We were heading down the river when the bath hit a rock. It broke the pipe attached to the drain outlet and she began to take water. But we managed to plug the leak and travelled the rest of the route without any problems,” Jacko said.
“All the lads are looking forward to this unusual event and already more than 20 want to take a turn in the bathtub. Each person will paddle for a stretch and pull over to the bank to let somebody else take over, he added.
Invitations have been issued to newly elected Senator Tony Mulcahy and Mayor of Ennis Tommy Brennan to be on hand to welcome the flotilla when it arrives at Lifford at around 3pm.
An evening of music and craic at nearby Mickey Kerin’s pub will round off what’s expected to be a memorable occasion.
At a photo-call at Ballyalla Lake this week to announce details of the project, John Bradley, Clare branch of the Irish Heart Foundation, said he was delighted the kayakers had decided to support the foundation.
“It’s going to be a fun event and we really appreciate what they are doing for us. We are an organisation that provides a lot of support and information in relation to heart disease,” said John.
The Chill Out team members have sponsorship cards and anybody who would like to help can contact Jacko on 086 0680759 or Mark on 086 8119779.